We watched
three broad-winged hawks circle above our suburban neighborhood in South
Carolina this summer. In recent months I have seen a wide variety of wildlife
not typically associated with residential areas. I have also heard other
people speak of the diversity of wild animals in neighborhoods that were
once almost the exclusive domain of mostly dogs, cats, and gray squirrels.

Broad-winged
hawks breed as far north as Canada and then begin migrating south, some
as far as South America, in late summer and fall. They are notable because
they make a high-pitched whistling sound that is distinctive from all
other birds in the area. In fact, we noticed that when two of the hawks
whistled (presumably to each other) from the tops of tall oak trees 100
feet apart, the songbirds that are usually so apparent were nowhere to
be seen. Even birdseed in the feeders could not lure these potential hawk
morsels out of their hiding places when the hawks were present. Having
such spectacular predators around elevates the drama of nature's backyard
wildlife show.

Another recent
observation in a city park by an early morning walker was a gray fox that
crossed the road where there was no traffic at the moment, picked up speed,
and grabbed a gray squirrel feeding on the ground. The park is surrounded
by residential areas, and a small protected wetland area is nearby. The
fox was clearly a healthy animal at home in its surroundings, even to
the point of safely negotiating a road crossing. Other large wildlife
species that people often hear or see now in suburban areas are large
owls, barred and great horneds being the most common. Raccoons, opossums,
and even coyotes are frequent visitors in many neighborhoods. Deer, of
course, have become enough of a problem in some areas to keep local plant
nurseries in business replacing residential flora. Harmless rat snakes,
which frequently reach lengths approaching six feet, are a species that
I hear reports of from many residential areas throughout their range in
the eastern United States.

Even invertebrates--butterflies,
dragonflies, and other flying creatures--seem to be more common in neighborhoods
than they were in the past. And the animals people find in their swimming
pool skimmers--small snakes, frogs, and bizarre beetles-- are enough to
start a fascinating menagerie.

What's going
on with this apparently newfound diversity? Do we really have more wildlife
than only two or three decades ago? Several reasons come to mind for why
woodland creatures are seemingly more prevalent in residential America
than ever before. One reason, which I have mentioned before, is the prevalence
of leash laws in suburban areas. No roaming dogs threaten foxes, coons,
possums, and coyotes in their daytime hiding places, which are now safe
havens for adults and young alike.

Another obvious
explanation for an increase in numerous animal species is the reduction
in chemical pollution that has been forced on the pesticide and herbicide
industries. While we may be better off as a society with certain agricultural
pest controls, indiscriminating killing agents that have widespread effects
on insects and other invertebrates (DDT being the world class poster child)
have no place in today's world. Regulating these insidious chemicals is
in the best interest of all of us. Small invertebrates are the base of
the food chain for many of the larger animals that eat them. When the
base is destroyed, the effect moves upward.

This wealth
of wildlife diversity that is seemingly more apparent now than in the
mid-20th century is a positive sign in many ways. Wildlife reconnects
us with the natural world. And when people enjoy something--such as having
a wide variety of wildlife species in their neighborhoods--they want to
maintain the status quo. You may not like having your cat chased by a
coyote or the bluebirds that have finally taken up residence in that bluebird
box eaten by a rat snake, but the positive impacts of a neighborhood with
wildlife far exceed the negative consequences of any special incidents.
(Next week: more reasons why we see more wildlife and how to increase
your chances of doing so.)